Six Rhinos players are named in England's pre-Ashes train-on squad

Six Leeds Rhinos players have been named in a 32-man England train-on squad ahead of this year's Ashes.

- by Peter Smith

Second-rowers James McDonnell and Morgan Gannon, who have yet to play for England are both included, along with centres Ash Handley and Harry Newman and props Mikolaj Oledzki and Tom Holroyd. As expected, there is no place for scrum-half Jake Connor, who was top of the Man of Steel leaderboard when it went secret last week. McDonnell played for Ireland at the World Cup three years ago.

Newman was the only Leeds player involved in last year's two-Test series against Samoa, when Handley was ruled out because of injury. Only Wigan Warriors, with seven, have more players in the squad than Leeds, though St Helens also boast six inclusions.

There are five players from Warrington Wolves, four from Hull KR and two each from Wakefield Trinity - Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken - and Leigh Leopards. Five clubs, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils, are unrepresented.